I'm guessing the old fashioned "by a window" routine doesn't work because they're not getting enough sunlight in Alaska? (or wrong angle, or tainted by Russia in his parent's backyard?)
I recollect an episode of Northern Exposure where they had to do an intervention on one of the characters 'cause he was abusing his UV-light glasses that he was prescribed for SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder).
funny, Rich... very funny!! I like it!